Utah Debt Collection Laws: Time Limits, Garnishment and Your Rights
Utah debt rules: statute of limitations, wage garnishment limits, protected bank and home exemptions, judgments, collector rules and how to answer a debt lawsuit.
Quick answers for Utah
- Time limit to sue on a written contract
- 6 years for an action on a contract, obligation or liability founded on an instrument in writing. For a credit agreement, the 6 years run from the latest of when the debt arose, the debtor's last written acknowledgment or promise to pay, or the last payment by the debtor or a third party. Utah Code 78B-2-309(1)(b), (2)
- Wage garnishment limit
- For a judgment arising from a consumer credit agreement: the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week (15% for qualifying education loans). Utah Code 70C-7-103(2)
- Money protected in a bank account
- The Utah Exemptions Act has no general exemption for cash or bank deposits. Exempt sources (such as disability or unemployment benefits, child support, retirement accounts, and federal income tax refunds) are protected. Utah Code 78B-5-505 (as amended 2026)
- Answering a debt lawsuit
- File an answer within 21 days after you were served in Utah (30 days if served outside Utah), counting every calendar day. You can file an answer through MyCase or use the court's answer form. Utah State Courts, Answering a Complaint (debt collection); Debt Collection self-help page
Last verified: 2026-10-26
Time limits
| Time limit to sue on a written contract | 6 years for an action on a contract, obligation or liability founded on an instrument in writing. For a credit agreement, the 6 years run from the latest of when the debt arose, the debtor's last written acknowledgment or promise to pay, or the last payment by the debtor or a third party. Source: Utah Code 78B-2-309(1)(b), (2) |
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| Time limit for credit cards and open accounts | 4 years after the last charge or last payment for a contract not founded on a written instrument (oral contracts), an open store account for goods, or an open account for work, labor, services or materials. Source: Utah Code 78B-2-307(1) |
| Can a payment restart the clock? | Yes. A suit to recover a debt may be brought within the limitations period counted from the date the debt arose, the date the debtor makes a written acknowledgment or promise to pay, or the date the debtor makes a payment. Source: Utah Code 78B-2-113(1) |
| How long a judgment lasts | 8 years from entry of the judgment, or from a renewal of the judgment under the Renewal of Judgment Act. The Utah courts' self-help page notes the judgment must be renewed within 8 years. Court page: https://www.utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/consumer/judgment.html |
If you are sued
| Answering a debt lawsuit | File an answer within 21 days after you were served in Utah (30 days if served outside Utah), counting every calendar day. You can file an answer through MyCase or use the court's answer form. Debt cases filed in small claims follow the small claims process instead. Debt collection page: https://www.utcourts.gov/en/self-help/case-categories/consumer/debt-collection.html |
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Garnishment and what creditors can't take
| Wage garnishment limit | For a judgment arising from a consumer credit agreement: the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week (15% for qualifying education loans). This matches the federal limit. Source: Utah Code 70C-7-103(2) |
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| Money protected in a bank account | The Utah Exemptions Act has no general exemption for cash or bank deposits. Exempt sources (such as disability or unemployment benefits, child support, retirement accounts, and federal income tax refunds) are protected. |
| Homestead exemption | For 2026: up to $53,700 in a primary personal residence (dwelling or mobile home with up to 1 acre), or $6,400 for other real property; jointly owned property is capped at $107,500 per household for a primary residence ($12,800 otherwise). Amounts are inflation-adjusted every January by the State Auditor. Statute: https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title78B/Chapter5/C78B-5-S503_2019051420190514.html (base $42,000 / $84,000). 2025 figures were $52,400 / $104,700 (https://auditor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Homestead-Exemption-Value-2025Final.pdf). |
| Vehicle exemption | One motor vehicle up to $3,000 in value (not recreational vehicles); vehicles used in the debtor's trade may also fall within the $5,000 tools-of-trade exemption. Source: Utah Code 78B-5-506(2)-(3) |
| Claiming an exemption | The creditor must give the debtor a Notice of Garnishment and Exemptions and a Reply and Request for Hearing form. The garnishee holds the property for 21 days; during that time the debtor can file the Reply and Request for Hearing to claim exemptions or challenge the garnishment, and the court sets a hearing. |
| Bankruptcy exemptions | Utah has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemptions; Utah residents use Utah exemptions (the federal list is available only to someone who has been a nonresident for the 180 days before filing). Source: Utah Code 78B-5-513 |
Debt collectors and interest
| Interest rate limits | A judgment on a lawful contract bears the contract rate. Other civil judgments bear the federal post-judgment interest rate as of January 1 plus 2%, fixed for the life of the judgment. A judgment under $10,000 in an action about the purchase of goods and services bears 10% plus the federal post-judgment rate. |
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Where to get help in Utah
Debt & Collections FAQ
What is the statute of limitations on debt in Utah?
6 years for an action on a contract, obligation or liability founded on an instrument in writing. For a credit agreement, the 6 years run from the latest of when the debt arose, the debtor's last written acknowledgment or promise to pay, or the last payment by the debtor or a third party.
How long can a creditor sue on a credit card debt in Utah?
4 years after the last charge or last payment for a contract not founded on a written instrument (oral contracts), an open store account for goods, or an open account for work, labor, services or materials.
Does making a payment restart the statute of limitations in Utah?
Yes. A suit to recover a debt may be brought within the limitations period counted from the date the debt arose, the date the debtor makes a written acknowledgment or promise to pay, or the date the debtor makes a payment.
How long does a court judgment last in Utah?
8 years from entry of the judgment, or from a renewal of the judgment under the Renewal of Judgment Act. The Utah courts' self-help page notes the judgment must be renewed within 8 years.
How much of my wages can be garnished in Utah?
For a judgment arising from a consumer credit agreement: the lesser of 25% of disposable earnings or the amount over 30 times the federal minimum hourly wage per week (15% for qualifying education loans). This matches the federal limit.
How much money in a bank account is protected from creditors in Utah?
The Utah Exemptions Act has no general exemption for cash or bank deposits. Exempt sources (such as disability or unemployment benefits, child support, retirement accounts, and federal income tax refunds) are protected.
What is the homestead exemption in Utah?
For 2026: up to $53,700 in a primary personal residence (dwelling or mobile home with up to 1 acre), or $6,400 for other real property; jointly owned property is capped at $107,500 per household for a primary residence ($12,800 otherwise). Amounts are inflation-adjusted every January by the State Auditor.
Can a creditor take my car in Utah?
One motor vehicle up to $3,000 in value (not recreational vehicles); vehicles used in the debtor's trade may also fall within the $5,000 tools-of-trade exemption.
What is the maximum legal interest rate in Utah?
A judgment on a lawful contract bears the contract rate. Other civil judgments bear the federal post-judgment interest rate as of January 1 plus 2%, fixed for the life of the judgment. A judgment under $10,000 in an action about the purchase of goods and services bears 10% plus the federal post-judgment rate.
How do I respond to a debt collection lawsuit in Utah?
File an answer within 21 days after you were served in Utah (30 days if served outside Utah), counting every calendar day. You can file an answer through MyCase or use the court's answer form. Debt cases filed in small claims follow the small claims process instead.
How do I stop a garnishment or claim an exemption in Utah?
The creditor must give the debtor a Notice of Garnishment and Exemptions and a Reply and Request for Hearing form. The garnishee holds the property for 21 days; during that time the debtor can file the Reply and Request for Hearing to claim exemptions or challenge the garnishment, and the court sets a hearing.
Which bankruptcy exemptions can I use in Utah?
Utah has opted out of the federal bankruptcy exemptions; Utah residents use Utah exemptions (the federal list is available only to someone who has been a nonresident for the 180 days before filing).
Debt & Collections in other states
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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.